The lean manufacturing movement evolved from a desire to reduce waste and inefficiencies and improve productivity on the shop floor. Many manufacturers have also benefited from the resulting continuous improvement mindset as engaged employees became empowered to change things for the better. Moreover, just as you assign a value to the benefit of lean for production, you can do the same in the front office.

Lean principles apply to traditional scheduling functions, finance, even sales and marketing. Bringing lean principles to your manufacturing office will save you time and, ultimately, money by addressing these common issues:
• Nonvalue-added time spent on tasks
• Delays in communication
• Lack of proper information flow

A huge invisible wall often separates office functions from manufacturing operations. Each side may not understand what the other side does and how they do it. A lean office mindset will help with transparency and breaking down that wall.

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